This is the End Movie Review

The apocalyptic comedy movie ‘This is the End’ ironically casts light onto what has been a dismal summer of comedy films. This is potentially best comedy movie of 2013 and one of the best of the last few years.

‘This is the End’ stars an all-star comedy cast including Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson with cameo appearances from Michael Cera, Emma Watson, Jason Segal, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Paul Rudd, Channing Tatum and Rihanna. Yes the cast is a mouthful. All of the characters in this movie play over the top and exaggerated versions of themselves.

The characters don’t seem to be up to much, (well other than being Hollywood stoners) and all meet up at James Franco’s house warming party in Hollywood. But before they can let the effects of heavy partying taking its toll (coked up Michael Cera the only exception), they are cast into the biblical judgment day. The righteous are beamed up to the heavens whilst the rest, including the entire guest list at Franco’s, are left to endure the massive sinkholes, giant monsters and fiery atmosphere that now plagues the earth.

With the crew of characters trapped inside Franco’s the comedy is injected into every possibly moment. The hostile atmosphere outside also begins to seep through into the house as tensions begin to arises, mainly caused by the shortage of food and water and not helped by Danny McBride’s trouble making character role.

Though the movie is confined in Franco’s house for the majority of the film you never feel bored. The hilarious gags keep coming with new aspects explored throughout to deny the movie from becoming anywhere near stale. You’ll see the characters giving video logs one moment and then drugged up re-creating a sequel to Pineapple Express 2 the next. Just as you think there isn’t much left to explore other characters are introduced such as Emma Watson and a possessed version of one character present at Franco’s.

This is the End manages execute the perfect balance of horror and comedy. At times tension is created but with a great comical outcome, the scene where Jonah Hill is asleep after his prayer is just one example. Yes you do get those references to other horror films (The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby) that are often present in comedy horrors, but ‘This is the End’ has its own take that doesn’t feel forced into the plot.

Something that many comedy movies fall short on is when they try add this short moment of compassion, where you as the audience are supposed to feel empathy towards the main character as they seek redemption. Many comedies attempt this hurdle yet fall, ‘The Identity Thief’ is just one comedy this year that is a casualty of this where you are supposed to empathise for this criminal who destroys lives. Safe to say ‘This is the End’ pulls this off well, you generally do feel this emotional tie that co-writers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (collaborated on Superbad together) have injected into the hilarity.

Towards the ending of this movie, and not including the emotive layer added, it doesn’t feel that well executed as you’d hoped. The humour begins to soften as the story unwinds and you won’t find any of those side splitting moments that you experienced during the main bulk of the film. Encountering one more of those at the movies end would have been perfect. Despite this small disappointment it won’t drag your enjoyment of this movie down.

Yes ‘This is the End’ is silly and cheesy throughout and at any given moment will add the overused ‘dick’ and ‘gay’ jokes at will, but you expect this formula form this movie and it doesn’t punch above its weight and try to be something more than it is (this is something The Hangover: Part 3 was guilty of). ‘This is the End’ is hilarious throughout and one of the best comedies to grace or screens in the past years and is likely to take the crown of best comedy film of 2013, well unless Anchorman 2 can top the first. The silliness adds to the humour and it wouldn’t be the same without it, coked up Michael Cera isn’t something that will be easily forgotten. One things for sure, if judgment day does arise then James Franco’s house is the place to be. 

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